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Brigadier Richard Dennis warns in leaked letter that demanding operations in Afghanistan militate against SAS recruitment
The SAS is facing a recruitment crisis because soldiers are too overstretched to apply to join the elite regiment, a senior army commander has warned.
In a leaked letter, the director of infantry, Brigadier Richard Dennis, said the high "operational tempo" of the armed forces and the "unrelentingly demanding" operations in Afghanistan were combining to militate against special forces recruitment.
He added that the SAS was losing its unique status within the armed forces as "interesting operations are no longer seen as the preserve of special forces".
The claims come at a time when British special forces are more active than they have been since the second world war and last year's defence review acknowledged their role was becoming increasingly important.
But writing to the head of the army, General Sir Peter Wall, Dennis said he had deep concerns over the "challenge of fully manning the SAS" and that urgent action was needed to improve the "depth and quality" of potential recruits.
He quoted the commander of 22 Special Air Service Regiment as saying that there was an "understandable need for more youthful, quality volunteers".
In the letter seen by the Daily Telegraph, Dennis added: "I am content, notwithstanding the need to avoid any complacency, that the infantry community delivers sufficient officer and soldier volunteers to selection.
"I am less confident about how we guarantee better depth of quality to increase selection pass rates.
"Indeed, for any measure to be successful you might consider that army action is essential if we are to increase selection success and the enduring quality of our SF [special forces] community."
Dennis added that many soldiers were apprehensive about applying to join the SAS as "fear of failure remains acute" and suggested commanders should "talent spot and nurture" potential recruits.
The Conservative MP and former army officer Patrick Mercer said it would be a "dire blow" for the prestige of the UK if Britain's special forces were weakened.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We do not normally comment on SF matters and we can see no reason to change that policy on this occasion."
In a leaked letter, the director of infantry, Brigadier Richard Dennis, said the high "operational tempo" of the armed forces and the "unrelentingly demanding" operations in Afghanistan were combining to militate against special forces recruitment.
He added that the SAS was losing its unique status within the armed forces as "interesting operations are no longer seen as the preserve of special forces".
The claims come at a time when British special forces are more active than they have been since the second world war and last year's defence review acknowledged their role was becoming increasingly important.
But writing to the head of the army, General Sir Peter Wall, Dennis said he had deep concerns over the "challenge of fully manning the SAS" and that urgent action was needed to improve the "depth and quality" of potential recruits.
He quoted the commander of 22 Special Air Service Regiment as saying that there was an "understandable need for more youthful, quality volunteers".
In the letter seen by the Daily Telegraph, Dennis added: "I am content, notwithstanding the need to avoid any complacency, that the infantry community delivers sufficient officer and soldier volunteers to selection.
"I am less confident about how we guarantee better depth of quality to increase selection pass rates.
"Indeed, for any measure to be successful you might consider that army action is essential if we are to increase selection success and the enduring quality of our SF [special forces] community."
Dennis added that many soldiers were apprehensive about applying to join the SAS as "fear of failure remains acute" and suggested commanders should "talent spot and nurture" potential recruits.
The Conservative MP and former army officer Patrick Mercer said it would be a "dire blow" for the prestige of the UK if Britain's special forces were weakened.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We do not normally comment on SF matters and we can see no reason to change that policy on this occasion."
GUARDIAN
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